After the COVID-19 pandemic necessitated many companies to shift to work-from-home, getting employees back into the office proved a controversial proposition. While some companies have fully returned to mandatory in-office work every day of the workweek, many have opted for a hybrid approach or continued allowing work-from-home.
Ongoing research examines the value of these different approaches. Somewhat surprisingly, research is finding that hybrid work often encourages both productivity and employee well-being. The flexibility to work in-person in the office some days and work-from-home other days during the workweek has a variety of benefits.
This does, of course, depend on the type of work you’re doing and the industry your company is in. Some jobs simply aren’t something employees can do from home. For many finance teams, though, a hybrid approach can work very well for both executives and employees. Implementing Business Process Automation (BPA) software can help support this type of flexible work.
Recent Research on Hybrid Work
Arguments for work-from-home typically highlight employee well-being and the benefits of flexible schedules. Arguments for return-to-office typically focus on improved collaboration, productivity, and company culture.
Surveys by Pew Research Center and by Gallup show that the majority of employees in remote-capable jobs prefer a hybrid approach. And it’s not just about employee preference. A study published in Nature showed that “Hybrid working from home improves retention without damaging performance.”
For most employees, working from home all the time isn’t ideal, but they do want agency over when and where they work for at least part of the week. Some aspects of a job are most effectively done in-person, where employees can easily communicate and collaborate. Some aspects are easier to do when you can stay in your home office and focus without spending time commuting and sitting in meetings that could have been an email or Zoom call.
Hybrid Work and Employee Retention
Many workers who prefer hybrid work in polls and studies also say that they would consider leaving their jobs if the company mandated a full-time return-to-office. One study on worker well-being reported that remote workers reported the highest levels of well-being, closely followed by those enjoying a hybrid schedule. On-site employees reported much lower well-being, which was associated with lower retention.
It is worth noting that other research shows that working exclusively from home can worsen mental health and loneliness, especially for employees who live alone. Research is divided on whether working from home full-time is harmful or beneficial for employee well-being. However, research consistently shows that for remote-capable work, a hybrid approach typically improves employee morale and reduces attrition without negatively impacting productivity.
Planning for Optimized Work
In a recent survey of finance executives, CFO.com found that 50% of CFOs say that their home office is the most productive place to get work done. Interviews with CFOs reveal a more nuanced view, though. The most productive location to work depends heavily on the task that needs to be done. Problems that require the CFO’s focused attention and no collaboration are best done in a home office without interruptions. Tasks that require collaboration, quick conversations, or team problem-solving are best done in the office.
Recognizing that some work is best done in the office and some work is best done remotely can help finance leaders manage a flexible office schedule for employees. Use office time for tasks that are most effectively done in-person, and work-from-home days for tasks that require employees to focus closely on their individual jobs. Smart leaders will design hybrid schedules around needs, goals, evidence, and where the work happens most effectively.
BPA Software Supports Remote and Hybrid Work
Implementing business process automation supports employee retention by making employees’ jobs easier, automating repetitive tasks, and letting them focus on work that’s more satisfying and engaging. This is true for both on-premises BPA software and cloud-based solutions. However, cloud-based BPA is much better equipped to support hybrid and remote work.
Cloud-based Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) BPA systems are hosted online. This means that employees with the correct authorization can access the software from any location with internet access. This makes it simple to offer flexible work options and support a hybrid in-office and work-from-home team. It also supports employees who are traveling for work.
Real-Time Updates and Single-Platform Collaboration
Another advantage of SaaS BPA platforms is that all employees will be working within the same software program, regardless of their location. There is no need to have separate programs downloaded onto employee computers or laptops, and there are none of the additional software licensing fees that can go along with those types of programs. Just one cloud-based software platform that all employees can access.
The software updates in real-time to support collaboration, reduce or eliminate conflicting files, and increase visibility into financial processes. Centralizing financial processes means that even in hybrid environments, no one is left in the dark and no one accidentally does duplicate work because they didn’t realize someone else was already handling it.
The NextProcess Difference
NextProcess is a robust cloud-based SaaS BPA solution that includes AI tools that adapt the software to your workflows. You can customize the software to match your company’s needs and automatically enforce company policy. Our software integrates seamlessly with all major ERPs, and we do custom software integrations as well.
Our end-to-end software solution provides optimized financial workflows in a single platform that perfectly supports in-office, work-from-home, and hybrid office environments. With NextProcess, there’s no additional cost for adding new users; the entire finance team can use our system, and leaders control who has access to what parts of the software.
Ready to learn more? Contact us and share your current process, ERP stack, and automation goals. We’ll shape the discussion around your setup and the outcomes you need to reach, then schedule a customized demo so you can see the software in action.
